​OLLE OWL MIDDLE SCHOOL INVITATIONAL​

    Dates:
    21 Feb 2022 for asynchronous impromptu link deadline
    ​23-25 Feb 2022 for asynchronous impromptu judging
    26 Feb 2022 for live speech
    25-26 Feb 2022 afternoons f​or live debate

    DEADLINE
    16 Feb 2022
    ELIGIBILITY
    Open to 6th - 8th graders only 
    PLATFORM
    Online through NSDA Campus

    Information

    This is an online tournament held in Texas, so schedule will be in Texas time zone (CST).

    ​Dear Middle School Speech and Debate Coaches:
    We would like to invite you to Olle Middle School’s tenth annual speech, drama, and debate tournament. We had hoped to offer a face-to-face tournament this year, but the uncertainty surrounding the omicron COVID variant has forced us to pivot to a virtual tournament.
    We appreciate your patience as we have navigated this challenging environment.

    Events
    We will offer the following events this year:
    Asynchronous/Pre-Recorded Events: Impromptu Speaking
    Synchronous/Live Events—Section A: Extemporaneous Speaking, Humorous Interpretation, Original Oratory, Program Oral Interpretation (enter up to 2 events)
    Synchronous/Live Events—Section B: Declamation, Dramatic Interpretation, Informative Speaking​ (enter up to 2 events)
    Synchronous Debate Events: LD Debate, PF Debate
    Please note: We do not plan to break brackets in debate.
    Rules for each event can be found below. You can also find information about our schedule, tournament rules, recording guidelines, and entry fees.

    NSDA Campus
    We will be using the NSDA Campus platform for all synchronous (live) events. To guarantee a smooth tournament experience, please have your students test their ability to connect to NSDA Campus at https://campus.speechanddebate.org/. They should practice entering NSDA campus rooms from the device and location they will be using on the day of the tournament.
    In my experience, the majority of problems with NSDA Campus occur when students try to access it from their school buildings. If your students will be accessing Tabroom from your school building (or another restricted network), please read over the IT specifics and frequently asked questions at https://www.speechanddebate.org/campus-tech/. Make sure that your district IT department has opened the necessary ports and whitelisted the necessary domains.

    Judging
    As we move our tournament online, we will still attempt to provide the best judging possible. We believe that quality, constructive judging is crucial to the development of middle school performers. Consequently, our judging pool consists of trained adults from our faculty, alumni, and community, as well as carefully selected high school students who have successfully participated in high school speech, drama, and debate.
    Because of our schedule, the same judge can cover asynchronous events, synchronous events, and one division of debate.
    If you are using high school judges, they need to be in the 10th grade or higher. No 9th grade judges, please.

    Deadlines
    The drop deadline is February 20. Drops after this deadline will forfeit the original entry fee. 
    A $10.00 fee will be charged for debate drops after February 23.
    Videos for asynchronous impromptu is due on February 21 at midnight. The topic will be shared by 9 AM on that day.

    Awards
    This year, we will hold an awards ceremony at the conclusion of the tournament. 
    Additionally, the following entries will receive medals:
    • all individual event finalists
    • quarterfinalists, semifinalists, and finalists in LD and PF Debate 
    We will also present sweepstakes plaques to the top three individual competitors and the top three schools.



    TOURNAMENT RULES AND RECORDING GUIDELINES

    Eligibility
    To compete in this tournament, students must be enrolled in the sixth, seventh, or eighth grade.
    If a student competes for a non-school-based club, and their accredited school is attending our tournament, that student must compete for their accredited school. Students who violate this rule will be disqualified.

    Material
    A student may not reuse material presented at any competition during a previous academic year. For the purposes of this tournament, the academic year begins in August and ends with the NSDA National Tournament in June. Consequently, students may not use material that they presented at the 2021 NSDA Middle School Speech Challenge.
    Students may not use the same material in multiple events. Transcripts of oratories and interpretation material should be available for verification if necessary. 
    Interpretation pieces must meet NSDA standards for publication.

    Recording Asynchronous Events
    The camera must remain stationary during the performance, but competitors may place themselves within the frame as they see fit. Students may move in and out of the frame.
    Competitors may not use green screens, virtual backgrounds, or professional backgrounds that are not a solid color. On-screen text is prohibited.
    Recordings must be of a single take. No editing or splicing of performances is allowed.
    If you provide a YouTube link for your recorded video, it should be unlisted, but NOT private.
    If you provide a Google Drive or OneDrive link, make sure the file sharing setting allows anyone with the link to view your video.
    Check all video links to make sure they work.


    EVENT RULES & TOPICS

    LD Debate
    • NSDA rules will be used. The speaking times are: 6-3-7-3-4-6-3 with 4 minutes of prep time.
    • We will use the NSDA Lincoln-Douglas topic for January/February 2022.
      Resolved: The appropriation of outer space by private entities is unjust.
    PF Debate
    • NSDA rules will be used. The speaking times are: 4-4-3-4-4-3-3-3-3-2-2 with 3 minutes of prep time.
    • We will use the NSDA Public Forum topic for February 2022.
      Resolved: On balance, Turkey’s membership is beneficial to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
    Declamation/OI
    • Students will deliver a published speech from memory. The speech, usually famous or historical in nature, must have been delivered in public. The original speaker's words may not be altered for this presentation with the exception that cutting is permitted. The presentation should include an introduction that provides the title of the speech and the author, and should include relevant information about the situation in which the speech was originally delivered. This event is an exercise in interpretation, not mimicry, so the contestant should avoid trying to reproduce the delivery style of the original speaker.
    • The time limit for Declamation is 10 minutes with 30 seconds grace.
    Dramatic Interpretation
    • Students will present a memorized, dramatic selection from a published source (play, novel, short story, etc.). Non-published movie scenes are not allowed. No costumes, props, or notes are allowed. Movement within the performance area is unrestricted. Students must have a memorized introduction that includes the title and author.
    • ​The time limit for Dramatic Interpretation is 10 minutes with 30 seconds grace.
    Extemporaneous Speaking
    • After selecting one topic from a group of three, students will have thirty minutes to prepare a speech on a domestic or foreign issue. During preparation time, students may access the internet, but they cannot access prepared speeches or outlines. When presenting the speech, one 3x5 note card may be used.
    • The time limit for Extemporaneous Speaking is 7 minutes with 30 seconds grace.
    Humorous Interpretation
    • Students will present a memorized, humorous selection from a published source (play, novel, short story, etc.). Standup comic routines and non-published movie scenes are not allowed. No costumes, props, or notes are allowed. Movement within the performance area is unrestricted. Students must have a memorized introduction that includes the title and author.
    • The time limit for Dramatic Interpretation is 10 minutes with 30 seconds grace.
    Original Oratory
    • Students should present an original, prepared speech from memory without using notes. Speech topics should be persuasive in nature. No more than 150 words may be quoted. The oratory must be the original work of the contestant and cannot have been used in competition prior to the current school year.
    • The time limit for Original Oratory is 10 minutes with 30 seconds grace.
    Program Oral Interpretation
    • ​Students will present a program of oral interpretation consisting of thematically-linked selections from two or three genres: prose, poetry, drama (plays). At least two pieces of literature that represent at least two separate genres must be used.
      Students should present the program from a small black binder or folder. The intact manuscript may be used by the contestant as a prop, so long as it is in the contestant’s control by remaining in contact with the body at all times.
      The title or author of all selections must be verbally identified in either the introduction and/or transitional phrases.
    • The time limit for Program Oral Interpretation is 10 minutes with 30 seconds grace.
    Informative Speaking
    • ​Students should present an original, prepared speech from memory without using notes. Speech topics should be informative in nature. No more than 150 words may be quoted. The informative speech must be the original work of the contestant and cannot have been used in competition prior to the current school year.
      Non-electronic audio/visual aids may be used to supplement and reinforce the message, but they are not required. The use of live animals or additional people as visual aids is not allowed. Items of dress put on and/or removed for illustration during the course of the presentation are considered costumes and may not be part of the contestant’s presentation.
    • The time limit for Informative Speaking is 10 minutes with 30 seconds grace.
    Impromptu Speaking (Asynchronous/Pre-recorded)
    • After selecting one quotation from a group of three, students will record an impromptu speech. This recording will be used for all rounds of the tournament.
      Contestants will be judged on their organization, quality of speech, fluency, movement in the speaking area, etc. Note cards may not be used.
      Students do not need to record their prep time.
    • The time limit for Impromptu Speaking is 5 minutes with 30 seconds grace.


    NSDA Campus Instructions for Students
    NSDA Campus Instructions for Judges

    ​Entry Price

    One speech event and parent is judging $55
    One speech event and parent is OPTING OUT OF JUDGING $115

    Two speech events and parent is judging $60
    Two speech events and parent is OPTING OUT OF JUDGING $120

    Three speech events and parent is judging $65
    Three speech events and parent is OPTING OUT OF JUDGING $125

    Four speech events and parent is judging $70
    Four speech events and parent is OPTING OUT OF JUDGING $130

    ​One debate event and parent is judging $65
    One debate event and parent is OPTING OUT OF JUDGING $180

    One speech and one debate event and parent is judging $70
    One speech and one debate event and parent is OPTING OUT OF JUDGING $190

    Two speech and one debate events and parent is judging $75
    Two speech and one debate events and parent is OPTING OUT OF JUDGING $195

    Three speech and one debate events and parent is judging $80
    Three speech and one debate events and parent is OPTING OUT OF JUDGING $200

    Each person in a PF/Policy/Duo team would be responsible of providing their own judge, so one PF/Policy/Duo team would need to either provide two judges, both pay the judge fee, or one of each option.

    Registration will not be complete until payment is received.
     
    NOTE: We will charge set up fees if we have to create tabroom.com accounts for judges. It is recommended you do so on your own.

    Schedule - CST

    Please note that all times are in CENTRAL STANDARD TIME (CST).

    Monday, February 21, 2022 by 9 AM
    Topic Release for Impromptu Speaking asynchronous event
    Performers will choose one of three topics and submit a recorded performance by midnight that day.
    Students should     not include their prep time in their recording.
    ​
    Monday, February 21, 2022 by 11.59 PM
    ​Video Submission Deadline for Asynchronous Events

    Wednesday, February 23, 2022 (Asynchronous)
    7:00 am to 10:00 pm--Asynchronous Event Prelims Judging
    ​
    Thursday, February 24, 2022 (Asynchronous)
    7:00 am to 10:00 pm--Asynchronous Event Semifinals Judging

    Friday, February 25, 2022 (Asynchronous)
    7:00 am to 10:00 pm—Asynchronous Event Finals Judging

    Friday, February 25, 2022 (Synchronous/Live)
    5:00 pm--LD/PF Round 1
    6:00 pm--LD/PF Round 2 (power-matched)
    7:00 pm--LD/PF Round 3 (power-matched)

    Saturday, February 26, 2022 (Synchronous)
    7:30 am--Extemp Draw
    8:00 am - 9:15 am--Section A Prelims
    9:30 am - 10:45 am--Section B Prelims
    10:45 am--Extemp Draw
    11:15 am - 12:30 pm--Section A Semifinals
    12:45 pm - 2:00 pm--Section B Semifinals
    2:00 pm--Extemp Draw
    2:30 pm - 4:00 pm--Section A/B Finals
    4:00 pm--LD/PF Quarterfinals
    5:00 pm--LD/PF Semifinals
    6:00 pm--LD/PF Finals
    7:30 pm--Awards Ceremony

    ​Section A: Extemporaneous Speaking, Humorous Interpretation, Original Oratory, Program Oral Interpretation
    Section B: Declamation, Dramatic Interpretation, Informative Speaking​

    Drop Fee

    Drop fees will be the same amounts as the entry fee PLUS any fees the tournament charges us for late drops. Drop requests should be made to Victor and Nadia.

    Please do not drop out last minute to avoid being charged these fees.

    Contact Info

    Victor Rivas Umana
    Contact email:  vrivasumana@tgsastaff.com
    Nadia Budiman 
    Contact email: nbudiman@tgsastaff.com
    Or info@tgsastaff.com

    Registration Form

    ​​
    STUDENT INFORMATION
    If this is your first time competing, make sure to first create a Tabroom account here: https://www.tabroom.com/user/login/new_user.mhtml
    It's super simple and quick (<1 minute), but follow the guidelines here in case anything is confusing: ​https://docs.tabroom.com/Sign_Up
    PARENT CONTACT INFORMATION
    Your email address will be the one included when we send the logistics email.
    EVENT SELECTION
    Make sure you have checked the double-entry policies if there are any. We are not responsible for schedule conflicts.
    The maximum number of entries you can compete in is 6 consisting of 1 debate, 1 impromptu, 2 section A, and 2 section B events.
    • ​Section A: Extemporaneous Speaking, Humorous Interpretation, Original Oratory, Program Oral Interpretation
    • Section B: Declamation, Dramatic Interpretation, Informative Speaking​​
    If you are competing in IMP, please send your video link to Nadia at nbudiman@tgsastaff.com by Feb 21st the latest. The topic will be shared by 9am that day.

    ​Impromptu Speaking Topics
    Topic 1: "The darkest hour is just before dawn." (Ralph Stanley)
    Topic 2: "The only thing that really matters in life are your relationships to other people." (George Vaillant)
    Topic 3: "We do not see things as they are; we see things as we are." (Jewish Proverb)
    ​JUDGE PROVISION
    ​
    ​Click here to complete the highly recommended     Cultural Competency judge training course

    Signing up a judge without having a Tabroom account will result in us charging you for the set up fee.
    ​You can do this easily on your own by going to tabroom.com. It literally takes less than a minute.

    First time judging? Click here to learn how to do it! Or watch our Youtube playlist here.
    ​There are also these training cards available that include a summary of each event's rules and comments.​

    ​Tournaments encourage judges to have a paradigm on their Tabroom account, which can be a few sentences on your preferences of debating styles, etc. See here for example. It doesn't need to be this long, but make sure to add something before you sign up. For example: "I am a parent, please speak clearly and slowly and avoid technical jargon".​

    ​    More tournament resources can be found here.
    TERMS AND CONDITIONS

We would love to have you visit soon at one of our open houses.
Check our home page for the schedule!

School year Hours

M-F: 3:45 pm - 8:30 pm 
Sun: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Telephone

510-270-8480
510-470-0531

Email (preferred)

For more info email us at: info@tgsastaff.com

Locations

Fremont: 200 Brown Rd #201, Fremont, CA 94539

Cupertino: 20432 Silverado Avenue Suite 211, Cupertino, CA 95014

Aborn Institute: 2804 Riedel Road, San Jose, CA 95135 

Loving Tree Academy: 36601 Newark Blvd, #83, Newark, CA 94560